Have a stress-free exam period
The job market these days is extremely competitive. With students from 35,000 colleges in the country competing for jobs, the sheer expectations are massive! With exams just around the corner, this period is a pivotal one, especially for students who will be transitioning out of college at the end of this academic year. Typically, a student’s timeline includes class schedules, exam preparation, research work, preparation for entrance exams and interviews for further studies/ job placements. In the midst of all this, they also needs some time off.
Since the academic year is coming to a close, follow these simple ways to stay motivated, have a positive mindset during your exam period and successfully accomplish your goals:
- Focus on your priorities: If you’re a student, especially a final year student, you should be well aware of what all you want to accomplish in the short-term as well as long-term. Realize what your personal driving factors are – impact, money, passion, a corporate setup etc. You can refer to Stephen Covey’s time management matrix method and classify tasks based on urgency and importance. Identify which task come under which quadrant and work on them accordingly. If you want to work for a few years after college before pursuing your Masters, start researching about which field you see yourself working in. Only then can you narrow down on which companies are hiring for that specific role. Don’t compromise on your extracurricular activities because they define who you are more than your marks do! Just be sure to prioritise the correct task at the right time – be it society work at college or studying for an exam.
- Manage your day: Since you’ll be working on a lot of tasks and timelines on a daily basis, make sure you’re making a list of tasks daily/ weekly. Give enough time to each activity, including your health and self development. Implement this time-table with breaks between every session so that you do not burn yourself out. While scheduling tasks for your day, make sure you are not overburdening yourself with studies or work as mental and physical health are utmost important to tackle stress.
- Seek mentorship: At this crucial period of time, it is pivotal for you to have a support system. Seek guidance or mentorship from a well-trusted guardian or senior at college. Such mentors tend to help you with your issues and hence solve your confusion. They can provide you with the best insight through their own personal experiences, aiding you during the decision making process. Before an entrance exam or college assignment, you can ask a senior at college for sample or mock papers to get a better understanding about where you stand. If you’re confused between taking up a job or going for higher studies, you can reach out to a professional mentor and ask for his/ her insights.
- Maintain healthy habits: Keep yourself fit and healthy through nourishing food habits, a good-night sleep and exercise/ yoga to strike a balance in your life. To make sure your efficiency at work is not compromised, you need to be mentally, emotionally and physically fit. In this digital age of instant messaging and constant emails, it’s extremely important to know when to take a step back and keep your gadget aside. Digital detox is nowadays regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world!
According to a survey conducted at the University of California Berkeley about 45% students experience emotional or stress! Stay calm, stay happy and trust your capabilities and strengths. Do not forget to reward yourself with a break after ticking off your to-do list at the end of the day!
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